After the members of the alliance got back onto their feet, they rushed to a walkway in order to observe the swarming flocks of mechanical birds.

In an irritated and concerned tone lioness turned towards Jackson and spoke, “Go around the store and make sure there are no exits for them to escape! We'll try and plan to get the antidote.’’

Jackson nodded with a serious expression and was about to leap off the walkway, when Corline stopped him momentarily by placing her cat on his shoulder. He looked at her with a puzzled expression which caused her to blush in embarrassment before giving an explanation, “Sorry I'm used to doing that. He's got really keen eyes that will help you spot any potential escape paths.’’

Jackson then stared at the count for a second while saying with a smile, “Okay thanks for trusting me with him!’’ He then proceeded to leave off the walkway and began ensuring there were no paths of escape for the mechanical birds.

Meanwhile Curie Had a frustrated expression on her face as she thought admonishing herself. I can't believe me of all ascended was caught off guard a second time! I thought the games of the arcade would be the defensive mechanism not its mascot. Now we have to deal with these Soul Tech birds. Soul Tech is a form of technology that fuels and amplifies unique devices with the power of soul energy.

Curie done with herself admonishment took a deep breath and refocused her mind ready to deal with these mechanical pests.

Lioness began to cause the metal she had on hand to ripple as she prepared to change its shape. While she did so she spoke in a confident tone, “I'll transfer my metal into a large net, then we can round these buzzards up!’’

Curie shook her head in disagreement as she stared at some of the flying swarms, “That won't work. The Soul Tech birds are as fast as we are maybe even faster.’’

She then proceeded to activate her Soul Incantation, her eyes darting between the nearby swarms. An annoyed and frustrated expression appeared on her face as she said, “Not to mention, from my observations, they have incredible flight capabilities, so catching them in a net is unlikely. Their flight is so sporadic that I’m having trouble locating the antidote.”

Partially activating her own Soul Incantation, Coraline interjected, her heterochromatic eyes shifting to those of a predatory creature. “With my keen eyes, I’m confident I can identify the bird that has the antidote.” A slight frown appeared on her face as she added, “But given your observations, I doubt I’ll be able to catch it. The mall is far too open, and they have the advantage in the air.’’

Curie got an idea after staring at Coraline’s catlike heterochromatic eyes and paying close attention to her last sentence. It was an idea she immediately shared with everyone present. “What if we changed the terrain?’’

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Both Lioness and Coraline listened intently, curious to hear Curie’s plan. “If we cut off certain sections of the mall using Lioness’s netting, we can force them to travel in a predictable direction. Since I’ve memorized the layout of the mall, I can create suitable conditions for Coraline to catch the bird.’’

The other two female Ascended nodded, liking Curie’s plan.

Not long afterward, Jackson returned along with Coraline’s cat. He leapt from the lower level back up to the walkway where they were still standing. He wore a pleased expression as he gave his report. “I dealt with any possible exits. But it seems that wasn’t necessary—none of the birds are attempting to escape, which is good news for us.’’

He then took Coraline’s cat off his shoulder and placed it on the ground. While doing so, he addressed Coraline in a surprised and grateful tone. “Oh, by the way, you were right. Your little friend spotted a couple of locations I might have missed.’’

Coraline smiled upon hearing that and picked up her cat. Lioness thanked Jackson for his caution, saying, “It’s good that you sealed off the exits. We’ve had one too many surprises, so it’s better to play it safe than risk it.’’

The other members then filled Jackson in on the plan. Curie also explained his role in it. “You and I are going to be corralling the birds by chasing after them.’’

The members of the alliance began to enact their plan.

Lioness created large nettings that cordoned off the necessary sections of the mall in accordance with Curie’s plan. Soon afterward, both Jackson and Curie started corralling the birds. The Soul Tech birds were programmed to avoid Ascended, meaning that whenever either of them got within a certain range of any flock, the birds immediately darted away to put as much distance as possible between themselves and their pursuers. However, with certain areas cordoned off, the birds were forced to fly in a much more grouped and predictable manner.

Meanwhile, Coraline stood perched on a statue within the mall. The section of the mall she occupied was the narrowest, which helped reduce the birds' maneuverability.

It didn’t take long for her to hear a cacophony of beating wings as the mechanical birds rounded a corner.

She dropped into a low stance, ready to pounce as the flock approached her position within moments. Her catlike eyes narrowed even further, a clear sign of her incredible focus.

Her gaze locked onto the Soul Tech bird holding the vial of antidote. It was dead center, right in the middle of the swarm.

As the flock moved into her range, Coraline made a powerful leap that sent a web of cracks through the statue she had been perched on. She launched herself into the swarm of mechanical birds. Their metallic bodies and speed caused dozens of minor cuts to appear on her petite frame. However, she was unconcerned, her clawed hand shooting out toward the bird holding the antidote.

The bird’s maneuverability proved too great; it spiraled around her arm in a corkscrew-like motion. Coraline had anticipated something like this happening, which was why she smiled and yelled, “Now, Ebony!”

Immediately, her cat—who had been hiding behind her back to conceal its position—darted forward. Ebony moved like a blur, mirroring the bird’s spiral motion along Coraline’s arm. With precision and speed, the cat opened its mouth and bit into the mechanical bird’s frame, tackling it to the ground.